Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1469343
14 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2022 pens here. But when it goes to production, then it starts getting quoted everywhere. In this case, it was quoted in Asia, but quoted in North America too. Much of the technology is driven by designs that are hap- pening here. And as a result, we bring together the key technol- ogy leaders for the PCB part of the assembly. In that realm, work- ing together is how the partner- ship delivers. I would say it's almost an organic process on how it comes together, not neces- sarily where every piece has been strategically analyzed and brought together. Between rela- tionships and core strengths, organically, these partnerships are developed. Johnson: Obviously the prototyping work was done here in the United States. I just want to clarify that, for this project, the production work was also in North America? Brandman: Absolutely. Johnson: Was the partnership formed just for this project? Was this the first time that all these companies together worked in partnership, or was this a pre-existing relation- ship? Brandman: is was a new relationship between all the key stakeholders in the partnership. Johnson: I think this is a great lit- tle case study then. For such an opportunity, which also hap- pened to be reshoring, to come together in partnership and work together to win a very large order that benefitted multiple compa- nies. ere is value in coming back to the U.S. How much of that is monetary? How much of that is supply chain resilience? Jeff, can you give us a sense for what this partnership created, and why it was important enough to the end customer to stay in the U.S.? Brandman: Sure. Aurora Circuits developed a PCB with cutting-edge technology for head- lights, and I think they created a very compet- itive, robust product that their customer was able to appreciate, compared to other proto- types from other fabricators. But at the end of the day, some other fabricators could also do a good job making that PCB in China, but I think Aurora was able to do it competitively in the U.S. is sort of collaboration between OEM and manufacturers needs to be the everyday occurrence. With this program of collaboration between Aurora Circuits and Aismalibar, we opened the door for more large-scale automotive pro- duction in the U.S. I know it's also happening with other fabricators. e innovative, smart, competitive PCB shops in the U.S., however, need to continue to push this message. And I strongly believe that we will be able to create more onshoring possibili- ties. Beaulieu: e two companies we're talking about are unique, and obvi- ously they don't want to market themselves, but I will. Chris's com- pany makes unique boards. ey can do boards that are over 20-ounce copper. at's a big deal. Most com- panies stop at four ounces. Brigitte Dan Beaulieu